Lufthansa Pet Travel Policy

Emma · with Luna (Tabby cat, 5kg)
“I made a spreadsheet of every airline's pet policy before booking.”
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Flying with Pets on Lufthansa: What You Need to Know

When I booked Luna's first flight with Lufthansa, I spent hours cross-referencing the airline's pet policy against industry standards. My 5kg tabby cat needed to fit in a soft-sided carrier, had to be at least 12 weeks old, and required a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure. The €75 cabin fee was straightforward—but the embargoed routes caught me off guard. If you're planning to fly with your pet on Lufthansa, here's everything you need to know, backed by verified policy data.

Quick Comparison: Lufthansa vs. Other Major Carriers

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin pet fee: €75 one-way (route-dependent pricing available via Lufthansa calculator)
• Max pet + carrier weight: 8 kg
• Carrier dimensions: 55 cm (L) × 40 cm (W) × 23 cm (H)
• Minimum pet age: 12 weeks
• Advance booking window: 72 hours before departure
• Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
• Cold embargo (cargo/checked): 7.2°C (45°F)
• Heat embargo (cargo/checked): 29.4°C (85°F)
• Checked baggage surcharge: €150/CHF 170/USD 170 for transfers via Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna, or Zurich

Cabin Travel: The Best Option for Small Pets

Lufthansa allows cats and dogs in the cabin if they meet strict requirements. This is how Luna traveled—she stayed with me the entire flight, which reduced stress for both of us.

Carrier Requirements

Soft-sided carriers are required for cabin travel. Your carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and meet these exact dimensions:

• Length: 55 cm (18 inches) maximum
• Width: 40 cm (11 inches) maximum
• Height: 23 cm (9 inches) maximum
• Combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg maximum

Luna's carrier was 52×38×22 cm—just under the limits. Hard-sided carriers won't work for cabin; they're too rigid to fit under airline seats. Your carrier must also have mesh ventilation on all sides and include an absorbent liner (disposable pee pads work perfectly).

Water Bowl Requirement

Lufthansa requires a water bowl inside the carrier. Most soft-sided carriers come with collapsible bowls that attach to the interior. Fill it before boarding if the airline allows, or ask the flight attendant to add water during the flight.

Cabin Fees & Booking

The standard cabin pet fee is €75 one-way, though route-dependent pricing may apply. You must book your pet at least 72 hours in advance using Lufthansa's online booking system or by contacting their reservations team. Don't assume you can add your pet at check-in—you cannot.

Embargoed Routes (Critical)

Lufthansa does not allow cabin pets on flights to the United Kingdom or United Arab Emirates. If you're traveling to these destinations, you'll need to use cargo or checked baggage instead. This was a surprise to many travelers I've spoken with, so verify your destination before booking.

Checked Baggage & Cargo: Alternatives for Larger Pets

If your pet exceeds 8 kg, is a brachycephalic breed restricted from cabin travel, or you're flying to an embargoed destination, Lufthansa offers checked baggage and cargo options.

Checked Baggage (Hold Travel)

Pets travel in the pressurized hold with checked luggage. This option is available for cats and dogs up to 2 pets per passenger. You'll need:

• IATA-compliant hard-sided crate (soft-sided not accepted)
• Water bowl attached inside
• Absorbent liner (required)
• "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on three sides
• Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA standards

Additional surcharge: €150 (EUR), CHF 170, or USD 170 applies if your flight transfers through Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna, or Zurich.

Temperature restrictions apply: pets won't be accepted if tarmac temperatures fall below 7.2°C or exceed 29.4°C at origin or destination. This is a hard rule—no exceptions without a vet's acclimation certificate.

Cargo Service

Lufthansa's dedicated cargo service is ideal for international moves or when you need maximum care. Up to 2 pets per passenger are allowed. The airline operates the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, where pets receive comfort stops with photo updates sent to owners—a feature I wish existed when Luna traveled.

Cargo requires the same hard-sided IATA crate, water bowl, absorbent liner, and live animal labels as checked baggage. Fees are quoted individually by cargo agents based on weight, route, and destination. Contact Lufthansa Cargo directly for pricing.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Banned

Lufthansa bans brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds from all travel methods due to respiratory risks at altitude. This applies to both cabin and cargo.

Restricted Cat Breeds

• British Shorthair
• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Scottish Fold

Restricted Dog Breeds (Extensive List)

Lufthansa bans numerous brachycephalic dog breeds including Affenpinscher, all Bulldog varieties (English, French, American), Pug, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Chow Chow, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, and many others. Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are also banned on flights to Germany due to local breed legislation.

If your breed appears on any restricted list, Lufthansa will not accept your pet. There are no exceptions. Always confirm your pet's breed eligibility before booking.

Special Requirements & Health Documentation

Health Certificate (Non-Negotiable)

A vet-issued health certificate is required for all pets. Get it issued within 10 days of your departure date—no earlier. The certificate must confirm your pet is fit to fly and free from infectious diseases. Even if Lufthansa's website doesn't explicitly mention it, you will be denied boarding without one.

Minimum Age

Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old to fly. For flights to Germany specifically, the minimum age is 15 weeks.

Pregnant & Animals in Heat

Lufthansa does not allow pregnant animals to fly. Animals in heat status is still being verified—contact Lufthansa directly if this applies to your pet.

Sedation: Absolutely Prohibited

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. Your vet may advise calming supplements, but prescription sedatives are off-limits.

Service Dogs (Free Travel)

Trained service dogs fly free in the cabin with proper documentation. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized by Lufthansa—they're treated as regular pets and subject to all fees and restrictions. Email specialservice@dlh.de to register a service dog at least 48 hours before departure.

Special Crate Requirements for Certain Breeds

American Bullies, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentino, Karabash/Kangal, Caucasian Shepherd, and Rottweiler must travel in CR82-certified crates (a specific IATA-approved design). Standard IATA crates won't suffice for these breeds. Verify your crate's certification before booking.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

• 72+ hours before departure: Book your pet online or contact Lufthansa reservations. Confirm your destination isn't embargoed (UK, UAE for cabin).
• 10 days before departure: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Confirm your pet's breed isn't on the restricted list.
• 7 days before departure: Obtain your health certificate. Verify carrier dimensions and weight limits.
• 3-5 days before departure: Practice carrier training with your pet. Ensure water bowl is functional and absorbent liner is in place.
• 24 hours before departure: Confirm your booking with Lufthansa. Arrive at the airport 3 hours early for international flights (pet check-in takes time).
• At the airport: Present health certificate, booking confirmation, and pet ID. Ensure carrier passes dimension/weight checks.

Cost Breakdown Example

For a 5kg cat like Luna flying cabin from Germany to France:

• Cabin pet fee: €75
• Health certificate: €50–100 (vet cost, varies by region)
• Soft-sided carrier (if needed): €40–80
• Total: €165–255

For checked baggage with a transfer surcharge:

• Checked baggage pet fee: €75 (base) + €150 (transfer surcharge) = €225
• Health certificate: €50–100
• Hard-sided IATA crate: €80–150
• Total: €355–475

See our pet travel cost guide for more detailed breakdowns across airlines.

Practical Tips from Experience

• Book early: The 72-hour window is a minimum. Book as soon as you have your flight confirmation.
• Soft-sided carriers are worth it: They compress slightly to fit under seats and are lighter than hard-sided alternatives. Luna's carrier weighed only 1.2 kg.
• Practice beforehand: Let your pet spend time in the carrier at home. Luna was comfortable by day three of practice.
• Avoid peak travel times: Flights during off-peak hours are less chaotic and give flight attendants more time to check on your pet.
• Frankfurt Animal Lounge: If using cargo, request a comfort stop at Frankfurt. The lounge provides exercise and bathroom breaks.
• Double-check embargoed routes: Many travelers book without realizing UK and UAE routes don't allow cabin pets. Verify before committing.

Contact Lufthansa for Route-Specific Pricing

The €75 cabin fee is standard, but Lufthansa offers a price calculator for route-dependent pricing. For cargo quotes and Frankfurt Animal Lounge details, contact Lufthansa Cargo directly. For service dog registration, email specialservice@dlh.de with 48 hours' notice.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you've covered all requirements for your specific route and pet type.

Final Thoughts

Lufthansa's pet policy is detailed and strict, but it's designed to keep your pet safe. The 72-hour advance booking window, health certificate requirement, and temperature embargoes aren't bureaucratic hurdles—they're safeguards. Luna

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026